I've created a couple of models with a method that makes sense to me, but it's not working. I would like to have a master model of an assembly that I can then copy and change a few overall dimensions creating a new custom-sized model. It's not discreet standardized sizes that I'm trying to set up, but rather an infinite number of custom sizes. I created a part called "internal dimensions" that is just a basic box with length width and height dimensions representing the interior size of my assembly. I have set up part dimensions from within the master assembly that relate to the dimensions of my "internal dimensions" part via equations. This has worked sort-of, but at some point on a couple of my models the dimensions stopped updating and I can't figure out why. The dimensions then say they're "read only" and I can't go in and look at the equation to figure out what's wrong. Is what I'm trying to do something that others do successfully or am I just trying to do something that shouldn't be attempted? Seems to me it ought to work and it would be a huge time-saver if it were working the way I've envisioned. Any helpful hints would be appreciated!
Barry,
First of all, I would eliminate the part "internal dimensions". This function could be replaced with a 3d sketch (or two 2d sketches) in your assembly. I think that would make it work better.
Another thing that may help. You said you're copying when you need to make another assembly. Instead of doing that, I would recommend doing a Pack and Go (File > Pack and Go) of your assembly. You can re-name files as part of the Pack and Go process by double-clicking on the file name in the "Save to Name" column, and it would probably be a good idea to do so to avoid duplicate file names.
Someone else may have other ideas.